Mutual Recognition Agreements

The Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) is reserved for those foreign professional accounting bodies with education, examination and experience requirements that are assessed by IQAB as ‘substantially equivalent’ to those of the Canadian Chartered Accountant designation.

The MRA category includes foreign professional accounting bodies that have been reviewed by the International Qualifications Appraisal Board (IQAB). Individuals who belong to one of the professional accounting bodies listed below must have taken the full professional education program, assessment and work experience that was subject to IQAB review.

If you are currently a member (in good standing) with a MRA accounting body, you will be eligible for exemption from all pre-requisite university courses and Institute academic programs. However, in all cases, in order to obtain the CA designation in Alberta you will be required to:

• successfully complete the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountant (CICA) CA Reciprocity Examination (CARE) and
• have the minimum term of practical experience per the CICA’s Practical Experience Requirements.

Designated Accounting Bodies - MRA

*Note Due to significant program changes, applicants who obtained their designation from the HKICPA prior to December 2001 or by affiliation with HKICPA do not qualify to apply under Level 1; such applicants may apply under Level 2.

**Within select professional accounting bodies, licensure is also a requirement for full reciprocity.

Eligibility to Register

At the time of filing an application for registration as an MRA foreign trained candidate, you must:

• hold a recognized accounting designation;
• be a currently registered member in good standing with one of the organizations listed for MRA recognition
• have attained membership in the approved foreign accounting organization as a result of satisfying the admission, examination(s) and experience requirements of that body (i.e., not by affiliation or alternate admission route);
• provide evidence of being a person lawfully permitted to work or study in Canada; and
• be able to establish your good character and reputation.

How to Register

Applicants who have met all eligibility requirements to register with ICAA as an MRA foreign trained candidate must provide the following:

• complete foreign trained candidate registration application
• registration fees
• résumé (including details regarding practical experience)

You must arrange to have the following official documents forwarded directly to the ICAA. Official documentation must be requested by the applicant and issued directly from the governing body/person to the ICAA; photocopies, faxes or other electronic reproductions will not be accepted for the purposes of registration.

• written verification from the recognized foreign accounting body indicating each of the following:
  • designation held
  • current membership status
  • date of admission to membership
  • completion of academic requirements – including dates of examinations passed
• Practical Experience Certificate for Foreign Trained Candidates – a certificate must be provided for each employment term and will be used to assess credit towards the minimum practical experience requirements for admission as a chartered accountant.

All documentation must be provided in English; the candidate is solely responsible to have documents officially translated if necessary.

Your application for registration will not be considered complete until such time that all information and documentation, as noted above, has been received.

Eligibility to become an Alberta Chartered Accountant

You will be eligible to apply to become a Chartered Accountant in Alberta upon meeting the following criteria:

• having met and maintained current ICAA registration as a foreign trained candidate
• successful completion of the CA Reciprocity Exam (CARE) - The candidate has four years and a maximum of three attempts at the CARE.
• having met the established practical experience requirements

Applicants who have fulfilled all requirements to be eligible to register as a Chartered Accountant in Alberta must provide the following:

• complete member registration application
• appropriate fees

Printer friendly copies:
Pathway to Membership for Foreign Trained Professionals

Appendix

US - CPA State Board Reciprocal Listing